tokyo traditions

As we often passed the Shibuya station, we decided to visit the famous Hachiko statue.  The statue, built in 1934, has a wonderful story associated with it of love and loyalty.  Hachiko was a special breed of dog (Akita) who lived in Tokyo with his owner, Mr. Elsaburo Uyeno.  Hachiko would accompany his owner everyday to the train station, and then when Mr. Uyeno came back after work, Hachiko would be sitting outside the station, tail wagging, waiting patiently.

Two years later, Mr. Uyeno passed away and never returned home.  Although his wife sent Hachiko to live with other relatives, the dog would continue to come to the train station every day to wait for his master.  This continued every day for years.  The people, who were familiar with this consistent scene, began bringing food and water for Hachiko.  Eleven years later, Hachiko passed away.  The community was so touched by the dedication and loyalty shown by Hachiko, that they erected this statue.  It is a popular gathering spot today.

The Shibuya Station is the third busiest train station in Tokyo.  What it is mostly known for (besides the Hachiko statue) is the Shibuya crossing.  Outside the station is an intersection which is known as a scramble intersection.  When the light turns red, ALL of the lights in every direction turn red.  The cars are completely stopped and people spill out into the intersection from every direction.  It is really amazing to witness.  We were there at 9:00 in the evening, and it was still amazingly crowded.  

Andrew kept asking if the lights on the buildings we saw were "the lights from Cars 2".  Jon thinks that the lights around the Shibuya crossing were probably what the movie was trying to portray.

Despite a few of my children's lack of enthusiasm for the event, we walked across the intersection.

I wanted a more complete view of the scramble, so I went to a better vantage point and took pictures.  Here is the intersection right before the lights turn red.  Only automobiles.

When the light changes, people come from everywhere - across, diagonally, etc.

I enjoyed watching the mass of humanity.